May I Interest You in Tasting Cabernet?
Although the game's description simply says it takes place in "Eastern Europe," it's clearly inspired by the Russian Empire. The story unfolds in an unnamed provincial town at a time when growing social unrest is beginning to take shape (the kind of discontent that will eventually lead to the October Revolution).
We begin at the grave of the protagonist, Lizaveta 'Liza'' Morozova, while her family reflects on the life she lived. This also serves as the character creation segment, where you choose the strengths that will shape future dialogue options and skill checks. We learn that Liza was one of the first women admitted to medical school.
The circumstances of her death are initially left unexplained. After the funeral, however, the story abruptly shifts to an underground chamber, where it becomes clear that Liza's story didn't end in the grave. Whether she was never buried at all or was dug up afterward, someone clearly had other plans for her.
Before long, the truth comes out: Liza has been turned into a vampire. Now she must prove herself to the High Society of the undead or risk being put down for good. In practical terms, this mostly means running errands for a powerful countess.
One thing I appreciated is that the game doesn't drag out every mystery. The identity of the person who turned Liza is revealed right away. By a twist of fate, her sire is a doctor, which allows her to continue pursuing her passion for medicine in an unexpected way. Much of the game involves helping with diagnoses, conducting experiments in the laboratory, and engaging with medical cases.
That doesn't mean the story lacks intrigue. Liza's guardian refuses to tell her how she died, claiming the truth would only traumatize her. On top of that, she manages to strike a bargain with a sinister supernatural entity, leaving her with a debt that is certain to cause trouble down the line.
While the game is primarily dialogue-driven, it offers more freedom than I expected. You can explore locations, inspect details in the environment, collect and trade items, and manage a small inventory. Experience points are earned through quests and successful dialogue checks. Liza also has a bunch of supernatural abilities and can even shapeshift into a cute bat.
Skill checks play a significant role throughout the game. If you're missing the necessary stat, equipment can provide useful bonuses. Many failed dialogue checks aren't permanent, allowing you to return later once you've improved your skill The important word here is "many," not "all". Some opportunities can still be lost, which gives your choices a welcome sense of consequence.
The gameplay heavily relies on the time system: Liza can be active only at night, and if she doesn't make it to her shelter by dawn, the game will be over. She must also consume blood or she'll fade away, though blood consumption can be tricky.
And yes, it's a branching narrative. Some NPCs may not live to see the other day, depending on your choices, and Liza can become more nihilistic or altruistic.
But, certainly, the highlight of the game is the characters.
Not only the main cast, but all of the characters Liza meets on their way are VERY well-written. They are the heart of Cabernet. Maintaining relationships IS the game core mechanic and they will make or break Liza's journey.
You'll meet dreamers, mourners, lovers, murderers, oppressors, revolutionaries, human and not so human (as well as an adorable cat) and each of them has their own little story to share. The dialogue is so good and wholesome that you'll see gems in every conversation.
Liza can also pursue romance with some of the characters, raise them up or lead them to ruin - the choice, in the end, is yours.
Personally, even when at times I grew a bit frustrated with the gameplay, I'm absolutely smitten with this project, how it told stories of its characters and with how much love and respect the developers treated the folklore (they even mentioned that belief about dreams people see on Thursday-Friday night becoming true!).
